BCRPA's office has temporarily closed to the public as of Thursday March 19, 2020 until further notice, with Staff working remotely. Please continue to contact us through all the normal channels.

Please provide your email address when leaving a voice message for BCRPA Staff, as phone calls will likely be returned via email. We will continue to post any and all updates regarding BCRPA business here.

BCRPA recognizes the challenges COVID-19 poses to Fitness Students  who are in their first year of BCRPA registration, and are currently unable to take a course or complete the Instructor Competency Evaluation required to obtain a specialty.

To support you during this period, BCRPA has made the following two changes:

• All BCRPA Fitness Students have been given an extension on their registration period by 90 days. For example: if your registration expired on February 1, 2020, it will now be valid until April 30, 2020.
• Until further notice, aspiring Fitness Students are not required to have a valid First Aid and CPR certification to register for first year status. Please email us when you have completed and passed your Fitness Theory exam if you do not have a valid First Aid and CPR certification and wish to register. 

On May 2020 all BCRPA Registered Fitness Leaders received a 3 month extension to their expiry date. For example: if your registration had an expiry date of March 1, 2020, it is now be valid until May 1, 2020.

This extension only applies to the registration period you were in when this extension was granted. Once you renew, your registration you will go back to a 2 year period from the new registration date. 

Until further notice, BCRPA Registered Fitness Leaders do not have to have a valid First Aid and CPR certification to renew their Fitness Leader Registration. However, they are still required to have the same number of Continuing Education Credits (CECs).

There are two main reason for this change:

1. The reintroduction of First Aid and CPR programs across the province is not equally accessible to all.
2. BCRPA wants to ensure we have a system in place to support our Fitness Leaders if a second wave of COVID-19 infections were to occur.

Recommended Best Practice for Fitness Leaders: If you can find an in-person First Aid and CPR course to renew your qualifications, we strongly recommend you do so, as it is best practice to have a current First Aid and CPR qualification. 

 Please note:

• We do not accept online-only First Aid and CPR courses. However, blended courses (a mix of in person and online) are accepted.
• We do not have plans to eliminate a valid First Aid and CPR as a registration and renewal requirement.

Insurance coverage for online fitness training will now be processed through The Registry® of Fitness Professionals rather than through HUB International Insurance at cost of $15 for the year. This will be available for purchase on The Registry® soon.

If you require this insurance immediately please contact registration@bcrpa.bc.ca. Please ensure you have read the full terms and conditions for this insurance here.

 HUB International Insurance, has updated their requirements for providing insurance coverage to any BCRPA Registered Fitness Leader who conducts online training and classes:

• Online training can be pre-recorded and does not need 2-way communication, however a disclaimer is required (see below for further information).
• Online training can be 100% of a Fitness Leader's gross income
• Fitness Leaders are required to repurchase this insurance coverage for 2021, January to December.

This extended coverage can be purchased as an additional product The Registry® of Fitness Professionals website. Please note that coverage for Personal Trainers is provided through HUB International Insurance directly. See Personal Trainers tab above for more information. The restrictions below will apply to Personal Trainers as well.

The extended coverage is subject to a fee of $15 ($10 insurance and $5 admin) and the following restrictions:

• Must be a registered BCRPA Fitness Leader (exemption: Personal Trainers, contact HUB directly for Personal Trainer online coverage)
• Must be providing classes or training within your specialty scope of practice.
• Participants may be new or existing participants.
• Participants must login to the permitted delivery tool, and register to participate in a class.
  
• Participants must have completed the necessary Par-Q and waiver forms.
• All injuries must be documented.
• Instruction to professional athletes and carded amateur athletes is strictly prohibited.
• Coverage does not extend to work-related rehabilitation of any condition.
• Permitted delivery tools must include the use of controlled, multi-screen video
• Conferencing programs with 2 way video and communication (such as Skype or Zoom)
• If you are using a different 2 way video and communication tool (other than Skype or Zoom) or you have a pre-recorded class, you must display the legal disclaimer before your class commences. This method is only for your registered clients.
• Publicly accessible broadcast tools such as Instagram Live, Facebook Live and YouTube Live are not acceptable methods of delivery for online training. The reason behind this is because these platforms do not allow 2 way video and communication for the fitness leaders to determine if the participants are in distress, or performing exercises in a way that could lead to injury. This coverage is also set up for registered clients only.

By paying the additional fee for the Online Training Coverage, Fitness Leaders or Personal Trainers agree to keep a record of the following:

1. Number of online classes per week
2. Class content (activities to be conducted)
3. Number of participants per class (ensure all participants are currently registered before the start of the session)
4. Class is limited to the number of participants that can be viewed on a single screen, with no more than four (4) participants in one location while following Provincial Physical Distancing Guidelines
5. Participants must have completed the necessary Par-Q forms and waivers.
6. If you are using something other than Skype or Zoom or you have pre-recorded classes you will display the legal disclaimer before the class. These classes are only for your registered clients.

In the event of a claim, the insurance company will request a copy of your record with the above questions.

If Fitness Leaders will be conducting online classes they will need to contact us directly at TOS.Team-FitnessLeaders@hubinternational.com or 604-269-1919 to have an endorsement issued.

The additional premium charged will be $15.00 to offer unlimited online training until December 31, 2021. This is payable to BCRPA through The Registry® of Fitness Professionals website.

If you have further insurance-related questions, please contact HUB directly by email or by calling 604-269-1919.

• HUB Fitness Leader Insurance: Online Training FAQ 2021

Within Canada and BC, there is no legal requirement for fitness leaders to be registered, trained, or associated with a specific organization. However, many employers or clients will look for Fitness Leaders that are registered or certified by a specific organization. There are several organizations within BC that provide registration and training and I would recommend touching base with your local fitness facilities or your client base to gauge the current demand.

With that being said, the BCRPA is widely recognized and is recognized nationally through the National Fitness Leadership Alliance (NFLA). BCRPA registered Fitness Leaders have recognition within the fitness industry as having met certain qualifications and standards as professionals.

For a full step by step guide to become registered with the BCRPA, you can go to the How to Become Registered section.

As we recognize that many individuals come to the BCRPA having a range of experience and education, we also have Course-by Pass and Transfer that may allow you to by-pass certain portions of the registration process. You can find more information at the How to Become Registered section.

You can create an account on The Registry^® or Fitness Professionals website to create a new account.

You can locate the "Create New Account" link on the top right hand corner of The Registry^® website.

After inputting your email address, an email will be sent to you with a personalized login link that will allow you to set up a password to access your account.

Once you have logged in, be sure to complete your contact details such as your Name, Address, and Phone Number.

The Fitness Theory course is NOT a requirement for BCRPA registration, however it is highly recommended for exam candidates.

A list of BCRPA Approved Fitness Theory course providers is available online.

The Fitness Theory course is NOT a requirement for BCRPA registration, however it is highly recommended for exam candidates.

A list of BCRPA Approved Fitness Theory course providers is available online.

Fitness Theory manuals are not available for purchase from the BCRPA.

To purchase a fitness theory manual, you’ll need to order one from the publisher or a bookstore (if available). The CFES and Body Blueprint manuals can be purchased directly from the supplier:

• CFES
• Body Blueprint

Once you have created an account on The Registry® and paid for the Fitness Theory exam, an e-mail will be sent to you with a link to our online booking form to schedule a pre-arranged sitting.

On the "Main Page" of your account on The Registry®, there will be a black box that has your First Aid/CPR details. If this is your first time entering your First Aid or CPR information into your account, it will say "No First Aid on Record/No CPR on Record". Click the "Update Now" link to fill out a brief form to input this information.

Course Type:

If you took your First Aid/CPR together, select "CPR and First Aid" under course type.

Certifying organization:

Select the organization that you took your certification with; if it is not listed, select "other" and type out the name of the organization in the Text Box that appears immediately below.

Course Dates:

• From date: The day you started your First Aid/CPR course
• To date: The day that you ended the course; if you took a one day course, you can leave this field blank.

Expiration date:

• This is the expiration date listed on your certificate.
• If no expiry date is specified, then input the date as 2 years from the date of issue.

Click the "Terms and Conditions" box and then "Save.

You are not required to submit copies of your certificates, unless you are flagged for a random audit after inputting your details.

BCRPA requires a minimum of Emergency First Aid and CPR-A; higher levels such as Standard First Aid and CPR-C are also acceptable.

We consider First Aid & CPR valid according to the expiry date listed on the certificate; if no expiry date is listed, we will accept it as current for 2 years from the date of issue. Depending on your employer or facility, they may require higher levels or a more frequent re-certification.

First Aid/CPR must come from the following organizations or from companies that are authorized by them to provide these certifications:

• Red Cross
• St. John's Ambulance
• Canadian Ski Patrol
• Lifesaving Society, or
• Heart and Stroke Foundation. 

All courses must be done in-person; online training will not be accepted.

As an existing Fitness Leader, an account has already been created for you on The Registry® of Fitness Professionals. This account is under the last email address that the BCRPA had on file for you.

To access your account for the first time:

1. Go to The Registry® of Fitness Professionals website. Select the "Login" link in the upper right hand corner of the webpage.
2. Click “Request new password” and enter in your e-mail address.
3. Login to your email account. Your Inbox should include an email from The Registry®, with a personalized login link. Select the link, and you will be able to access your account and set up a new password.

If your expiry date is coming up, you will need to login to your account on The Registry® of Fitness Professionals to:

1. Input/update your CPR and First Aid certification details if they are expired, or near expiring
   
   
2. Check your CEC balance, and upload any outstanding Continuing Education Credits (CECs), if required
   • New leaders renewing for the first time are not required to earn CECs
   • Fitness Leaders require 12 credits in a renewal period
   • Supervisor and Trainer of Fitness Leaders (SFLs and TFLs) require 16 credits in a renewal period
     
     
3. Purchase your renewal:
   • The option to purchase renewal is made available once your renewal requirements are completed and your CECs have been processed and approved (you’ll receive an email notification once they have been processed).
   • The payment option is accessed by clicking on the Manage Registration tab.

Note: Fitness Leaders who have been expired for over 1 year must complete additional steps before they will be allowed to renew. Please go to the Renewals page and look under Renewal for Expired Fitness Leaders.

We are no longer mailing certificates - with The Registry^® of Fitness Professionals, it's now easier than ever for your employers to verify your registration status with the BCRPA.

Employers can now verify your registration online!

Thanks to your Professional Profile on The Registry^®, employers can easily search for you to verify your registration. Direct your employer to The Registry and have them click on "Find a Fitness Professional". They will then be able to search for you by name. 

Note: Your Professional Profile will default to being listed on The Registry. If you have hidden your Professional Profile through your User Account, your employer will not be able to search for you.  

I still need a hard copy. Where can I get one?

Login to your account on The Registry® of Fitness Professionals. At the top of your User Account page, select "Download Registration Confirmation". This document includes your name, registration expiry date, and fitness specialties.

BCRPA registered fitness leaders are required to complete Continuing Education Credits (CECs) in order to renew their registration with the BCRPA every two years. There are many ways to earn CECs with most fitness leaders taking workshops throughout the two year time period in order to expand their knowledge and expertise in a specific subject area related to the fitness industry.

There are two types of workshops: pre-approved workshops and external workshops.

Pre-approved workshops:

Pre-approved workshops will provide you with a guaranteed number of CECs upon completion. In addition, these CECs will automatically be recognized within your personal account on The Registry® of Fitness Professionals as soon as the workshop presenter electronically enters a passing grade for you.

As a service for fitness leaders, the BCRPA generates a current listing of pre-approved workshops being offered by independent workshop providers*. This list is updated regularly on The Registry® website after you have logged in. All workshops listed on The Registry® website have been reviewed by BCRPA staff and have been pre-approved. Approval from the BCRPA means that the presenter is a current BCRPA Supervisor of Fitness Leaders (SFL) or Trainer of Fitness Leaders (TFL) and has provided a workshop outline and all workshop materials for review.

External workshops:

External workshops are not provided with guaranteed CECs in advance. Instead, workshop participants must fill out an online form and submit the required materials to the BCRPA for review following completion of the workshop.

There are a number of ways to earn Continuing Education credits for your renewal. Learn more about them below.

Post-secondary (University/College) classes are evaluated on a case by case basis, but in general 1 post-secondary Credit = 10 BCRPA CECs

To submit an application for credit, log-in to your account on The Registry® of Fitness Professionals. Go to the "CEC Log" accordion and click on "CEC Petition". Be sure to leave the "Workshop Pre-Approved?" check box blank. 

Please note that you will need to modify your answers for university/college courses. For example, you can input the following fields as such:

• Title: Name of Course
• From Date: Completion Date
• Hours: The amount of credit hours
• Presenter Name: Professor Name
• Location of Workshop: City or Online
• Workshop Contact E-mail: General contact email for institution
• Workshop Contact Phone: General contact number for institution

Note: If you are selected for a random audit you will need to submit the following documents

• Detailed Workshop Description: Upload course syllabus (usually provided by instructor at the beginning of the course or as part of course materials)
• Attendance or Completion Certificate: Upload transcript (unofficial transcript is accepted)

Sign in to your account on The Registry® of Fitness Professionals website.

From your User Account page, scroll down to the "CEC Log" accordion. Then, click on the button labelled "Submit CEC Petition". This will allow you to submit your CECs for approval by the BCRPA. Be sure to select "Workshop Pre-Approved" if the training has already been approved for BCRPA CECs by the workshop provider.

All petitions must be reviewed and verified by the Physical Activity department. Please allow up to 10 business days for your CECs to be processed.

There are two possible reasons why your account does not include the CECs you have submitted.

1. We have not reviewed your CECs yet.
2. Your CEC petition has been declined.

To check the status of your CEC petition, login to your account on The Registry® of Fitness Professionals.

Once you have logged in to your account, go to the "CEC Log" accordion. You will be able to review the status of your CEC applications, including those that have been declined. An explanation is provided for declined CEC petitions. If applicable, please re-submit the CEC petition with the required corrections.

As a requirement of renewal, fitness leaders are required to submit the following number of continuing education credits (CECs) every 2 years.

• First Year registration (Fitness Students): Zero CECs are required in your first year of registration, as you will be required to complete a specialty course within this period.
• Fitness Leader (2-year registration) – 12 credits required
• SFL/TFL (2-year registration period) – 16 credits required

Important note: CECs cannot be carried over from one registration period to another.  For example: If your registration period is January 1, 2020 – January 2022, you can only submit workshops that you have completed within this registration period.  Workshops completed prior to January 1, 2020, would not be accepted.